Looking Back With a Smile - Perth Festival of Yarn 2018

I've had a week now to reflect on my visit to Perth Festival of Yarn 2018 and I still haven't stopped smiling when I think about it!  I was so excited to be attending my first event as a blogger, then someone said to me - what does that actually mean?

Well, this is my personal blog so it offers my personal perspective on the event.  I really want to convey in words and pictures the warm atmosphere at this yarn festival - and I mean in terms of friendliness, not just the rosy glow of my cheeks! 

My blogger badge gave me the confidence to approach vendors in the market place, as well as fellow festival goers, and have a chat about yarn, knitting and knitwear amongst other things.  Some people I met are old friends, some I know through Instagram and some I'd never met before, but everyone took time to stand with me and smile.  I'm grateful to my festival buddy, Caroline, for taking all these pictures of me!

The event venue at Perth contributes to its success and these views over the market place at The Dewars Centre show over 70 vendors accommodated here.  There's plenty of shoppers, yet lots of space to move around freely and ample seating too - see the orange chairs in the right hand photo?

The stalls were a riot of colour... (Featuring Wee County Yarns, The Loveliest Yarn Company, The Fabulous Mr G, Rusty Ferret, Airedale Yarns, Lammermuir Wool, Cookston Crafts, Phileas Yarns, Big Cat Textiles to name but a few)

... with oases of calm neutrals and pastels... (New Leaf Yarns and The Border Mill)

...punctuated by humour! An Caitin Beag

In the podcast lounge, which overlooked the market place, I met some of the people I regularly listen to whilst I'm crafting at home.  I look a bit unsure that my self-timer photo is going to work - but it did!  Can you spot that Julie's top and my shawl are knitted out of the same yarn?

Spotting fabulous handknits is easy at festivals and I took full advantage of chatting to some of the enthusiastic knitters.  Pictured are : Helen's own design cardigan in Birlinn yarn, Wee County Yarns cowl using their mini balls, Lynn's neon striped Go-To Raglan, Silvie's stall sample socks, the yoke of Trish's Lush Cardigan,  a gorgeous shawl all the way from London and Rosie's Exploration Station.

Whilst having a breather in the seating area, I spoke to those around me who were also relaxing mid-shop and asked for a peek in their shopping bags.  Claire, Liz, Hilary and Eveann all shared their purchases and we talked about possible patterns and future knitting projects for these gorgeous skeins.

And what of my own shopping bag?  Well, the one I made specially for the festival (and blogged about here) did its job and held all the lovely things I bought.  I'm already looking forward to new cast-ons, more needle felting, embroidery and crochet too.

The last word on my day out must be to thank Eva, Festival Director, and her team at Perth Festival of Yarn for creating a marvellous event - and inviting me to come to Perth to write about it here.

And I'm still smiling! 

See you at PFY19!!

Festival Ready - Perth Festival of Yarn 2018

Yarn festival survival is a hot topic in the run up to the event itself.  This always makes me laugh and think I'm going to need a Swiss army knife in my knitting bag and Bear Grylls tucked under my left arm as I enter the festival venue!

That being said, there's great advice available online to make the most of your festival experience.  Perth Festival of Yarn has a section on its website entitled Yarn Fest Survival 101 (scroll down after the floor plan)

Knitting expert and Perth festival tutor,  Karie Westermann, has also compiled The Fibre Festival Survival Guide  and crochet guru, Fay Dashper-Hughes, shares her top ten tips for surviving and thriving at yarn shows in her Crochet Circle Podcast Episode 33 (watch at 13 minutes and 41 seconds in) or you can read her Shownotes.

So, with just a short time now until I go to Perth, I thought I'd share my own thoughts on making this a fabulous festival!

Friends

I'm meeting a friend at Perth Festival of Yarn so will have company to peruse all the stands.  Here's her knitting, her very covetable mug, and her gorgeous dog!  She lives in Perthshire so it's a great chance for us to spend the day together.

As I've attended a few yarn festivals before, including Edinburgh, Dornoch and Dingwall, I'd still go even if I was by myself. 

Fibre folk are generally very friendly and there's a feeling of camaraderie amongst festival goers.  Striking up a conversation isn't so difficult when you already know you've got a shared interest and may both be wearing compliment-worthy knitwear!

Feet
Be kind to your feet!

You'll be on your feet for most of the day so leave your stilettos at home and opt for comfy shoes.  Handknit socks are, of course, optional!

Food
I can't let myself get too hungry.  It makes me 'hangry' so I'll be hanging out beside the biscuits from time to time with my portable knitting project and a cuppa, eyeing up what everyone else has bought whilst I re-energise.

Focus
Printing out the Floor Plan is a must.  Mine's now liberally annotated with highlighter to make sure I don't miss out on the stands I really want to visit and the people I really want to meet.  I've got my notebook from Popcorn and Crocodiles that I blogged about here and I've assembled patterns, swatches and buttons to take with me to remind me of knitting projects in my future. 

I know there's still a chance this might go completely out the window once I get there and see all the pretty yarn and knitting paraphernalia (and get chatting) - that's why I need to focus!

Fibre
Finally... it's all about enjoying the event, the company of friends, making new connections and filling my shopping bag with happy purchases. 

I've even got a wee surprise up my sleeve (well, pinned to my chest!) so look out for me, say hello and I'll give you a neveratalooseend button badge!